Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS - Review

I've just spent 15 days riding a 1200 RS thanks to Triumph UK so I can really get a good understanding of how this bike feels and compare it to my much loved 1050 S Speed Triple.

I think by now most of us have heard that this is an incredibly fast machine, but what is it like to ride on all day, and how does it perform in the wet?

Keep watching to find out as I put it through its paces!

Thanks to Triumph UK for collaborating and loaning me the Speed Triple 1200 RS

Thanks also to:

Sekonda Watches
@SekondaWatches
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The Biddenden Bakehouse

Valkyrie Paint Works

[TheAdventuresofPhilJones]

To see my Street Triple 765 RS vs Speed Triple 1200 RS video, please click the following link…

[peterkoning]

I did'nt think linked braking was a good idea....but I had it on my VFR800 and it was totally unobtrusive, excellent ! I think this 1200 is magnificent and leaves itself open to so many applications. I prefer the RS to the RR

[alexmorgan]

The colour is banging. Love it. When I rode the 2021 bike it felt light like the then Street Triple RS, turned in so easily, steering was a joy. But the ride was too hard and harsh. I test rode the demo bike from Triumph Essex in Dunmow. The previous test pilot had let the keyless fob fall from his jacket and a following van had run it over and it was was dented and scratched. It was hit miss starting the bike and keeping it going. The dealer eventually got it started and to remain running after about 40 minutes. I just hoped I wouldn't stall it on my ride. Thankfully I didn't.
I found the engine quite flat below about 8-9k revs and to get it to go you had to rev the nutz off it by which time you were doing license losing jail time speeds and also speeds likely to get you or some one else on the roads killed.
The riding position as you say was very comfortable. I'm short and only weigh 66-67kg. However the ride was hard and harsh. Maybe the suspension settings could have been softened up? They were more suited to smooth EU roads or a track.
Didn't like the TFT at all. I think it looks cheap and gimmicky compared to older Speed and Street Triples. Sorry Triumph.
Also the QS didn't work on the bike I rode.
Conclusion, I was underwhelmed by the bike. The engine didn't feel well mapped for road riding, not much low down torque or shove, the suspension was too hard and harsh, didn't like the TFT, the exhaust note was the most underwhelming.
I then rode a 1050 RS straight after and loved it. Much more practical for road riding. Less over all power but so much more low down torque and pull. 148bhp is still no slouch of a bike. The suspension was a little more compliant but still firm. The twin Arrow cans sounded awesome. The TFT dash is far better, much clearer and easier to navigate. The front of the bike although similar, looks far better imho. The 1050RS just feels an all round more suitable bike for the road.

Whilst I didn't buy this 1050RS, I bought one about 8 months later in black with only 1, 200 miles on the clock from the awful dealer you showed in your video.
The battery was flat as a pancake when delivered. It was on an Optimate charger for 4 days in recovery setting as it was highly sulfanated dead, but the Optimate slowly brought it back to life. Then I had clutch problems with it. Couldn't get it in or out of neutral. Had to switch the bike off and on again. Then it started giving false neutrals and missing gears after only 60 miles. The nightmare was beginning. took it to my local Triumph dealer who adjusted the clutch. they said it was way out which seemed to improve things but only briefly. So much for Lagunas PDI and service prior to delivery to me!!! Then things got really bad. it started jumping out and back into 3rd and 4th gears. Started when I was over taking a long HGV and thought I had lots of time only I didn't and it scared the crap out of me as I narrowly missed a head on. It would violently jump out and back in of 4th gear only on the slightest of throttle roll on from about 2k revs up to 7-8k revs. In the end I just missed out 4th gear, but then I stopped riding it as it was dangerous.

I contacted Laguna a few days after it was delivered then again when the gearbox problems became a lot worse. They didn't want to know. Told me I had to pay to have my bike transported back to them 120 miles which would cost about £200. Also they couldn't look at it for about 6-8 weeks as their workshop was so busy!!!! One of two local Triumph dealers had a 10 week wait to even diagnose there was a gearbox problem, another said they didn't have any techs with suitable skill or experience to open up and rebuild the gearbox, but they did say they knew it was a problem with these 1050 gearboxes that the doglegs in the gearboxes are known to fail typically 4th gear. Tigers suffer as well apparently. Triumph themselves didn't want to know. it was a nightmare.

Then by chance a guy on the Triumph forum contacted me with a similar story of woe from another large Triumph dealer. He recommended me to get my bike to West Yorkshire Triumph who repaired his Thruxton R. He was very pleased with their work and customer service. So to cut a too long story short, I took my bike up to them. They had already repaired a few Speed Triple RS bikes with failed gearboxes so knew what they were doing and straight away diagnosed the problem, no waiting weeks and weeks although by this time is what end of the season, november last year and winter. They ordered in all the parts for the gearbox which took a few weeks then just before Christmas told me they had them all in and could start work on fixing my bike. So I took it back up to them. They did a great job repairing it, replacing the dead battery and servicing my bike which I believe Laguna never ever did as they never ever provided my any paperwork for this despite me requesting it as a term of the sale contract. So my bike is now fine. I basically without it for almost a year. The 300 or so miles I did on it were riding it to and from local dealers to try to sort out the problems. Despite it being a Triumph Approved Warranty bike getting it repaired was a complete and utter nightmare. I am still hundreds of pounds out of pocket and couldn't ride my bike for much of last year as it was dangerous.

Would I buy another Triumph? Are you kidding! I have no faith in the brand at all. The only star in the pile of turd was W. Yorks Triumph who were brilliant. As for the others nahhh I should have bought the KTM 1290 SDR 3.0 I rode a week after the 1200RS which I absolutely loved or the Yamaha MT09-SP or even an MT-10.

The problem was I bought my 1050RS unseen from Laguna's website which was foolish as once they have your money and deliver your bike, any problems, they do not want to know. Never again.

Sorry to hijack your video Phil. This 1200 RS you rode looked fantastic in orange but that's about as far as it goes for me. If it was a KTM SDR orange it would be a fabulous bike.

[colonelquickshifter]

Parted with my 1050 for this - completely different bike - I think it’s targeted at bmw and super duke clients - it’s an incredible bike but I miss the 1050… it’s more practical - having. Said that the induction roar and engineering is amazing on this 1200 it’s special and I’m really growing into it - it’s another level

[stevethomas]

I bought this bike, in this color, it's just about perfect! I had an orange 2009 Speed Triple which I really liked, but crashed it on the dragon :( Had a 2020 Speed Triple R which was pretty nice but I missed the low end torque the speed has, so I sold it and got this one. No regrets!

[MrTomYeoman]

Hugely enjoyable video, as always Phil. I’m a former news photographer and video shooter, so I always enjoy the photographic element of your stuff. As for the Speed Triple, I want one!

[nickhillman]

Had a baja orange 2023 triple 4mths now easiest bike i have ever ridden light handles mint goes well stops amazing put michelin power 6 tyres on it replaced a few things to make it mine heard afew issues but not had any yet but know how to cure the faults tagged in posts if they arise over great bike going on a trip in august rucksack on don't need the kitchen sink

[wattie]

Hi Phil, great review and excellent camera work and still pics as per usual .👍 I'm not sure about the new 1200 looks !!! I still prefer the 1050 shape to be truthful, maybe a different exhaust, tail tidy !!! But something not doing it for me .🙁 . I'm not a fan of bikes in the wet done it where I had no choice but not something I like at all, think it's more to do with having to clean it afterwards 😁😁 you should have let us hear the bike a bit more less back ground music etc for a wee bit . I like the led headlights but prefer the cowl on the 1050 models and lights to be a bit higher up . I'm not sure 180bhp is needed on any naked bike more about the torque and power delivery . Now you have me wanting another triple .👍👍😁😁😁. Great stuff Phil keep safe mate .

[hankster]

Great video Phil, I’ve been looking at this bike in Triumph Plymouth today and seriously considering upgrading my black 1050 94 Edition to this!! I think I need to book a test ride!!!

[davidreed]

Hi Phil, I agree totally with Wattie 1050 regarding the looks and shape, and I really don't like the minimalist look of the front end front the riders view but there's no denying that it's an awesome piece of kit with a stonking engine, it would definately look better in black though!! Another great production and proper music. Thanks for sharing the ride.

[FromTheTree]

Hi Phil, great video, I found your YT channel a few days ago. i have recently bought a 94r speed triple

[helgejohan]

Street triple 765 rs feels lighter and more nimble, and more smoth power, not so brutal as 1200✊🔥🔥

[TheRealChetManley]

Love this bike, Im close to trading my street triple RS for one. That color is awesome. Triumph bikes are so good.

[simonnoon]

Love it, I am seriously thinking about choping in in my 08 ST for one of these, rode one a couple of years ago, really liked it, mine has carbon wheels, a nitron shock, a low 3 into 1 and is blazing orange. It's lovely but not a patch on a 1200

[rcafmaintainer]

I have the Yamaha tracer 9 GT, it is not in the same category, it is however the same with the throttle. It changes completely above 7k rpm, but can be ridden without waking the animal.

[mr.kneeslider]

Forget the gopro unless you have the 7... the turn by turn navi is ok..usuable, the truimph app works just enough.
I fitted the Healtech servo eliminator, improves the low end around town.

[benkelly]

Hey Phil, great vid. As previously discussed! I didn’t notice your watch, before. Could you tell me the mode? Cheers.

[AntiPattern]

This looks like sucha cool bike.. Honestly, I don't think I could ride it around at 50 - 70mph... That throttle is just too tempting!

[scottsspeedtriplechannel]

Did you say that you needed to make a slight movement of the throttle when using the quickshifter? That surprises me. I have a 1200RS and the quickshifter works flawlessly without backing off the throttle.
Mine came with Metzeler RaceTec tires which I heard were not good in the rain either, but they work fine for me in wet conditions. Maybe a bit of (what I feel) excessive rear ABS kicking in, but little to no slippage under normal acceleration or cornering.
I have spent about 12 years of my life without any 4 wheel vehicles so I have had much occasion to ride in the rain. I no longer utilize the bike for every day transportation and do not generally choose to ride in the rain, but I also do not usually cancel out on rides because of the weather.
I too am a Speed Triple fan. I worked at a Triumph dealership when I purchased my 2007 Speed Triple. I kept it 15 years. When the new 1200 came out I was having some ignition issues with it. After seeing and reading about the 1200, I decided that if anything major was wrong with the '07 that I would get the new one. Turns out I had a bum spark plug.
New plugs and she was good to go. But I couldn't resist the 1200RS. I put a down-payment on one 3 months before they were available. Not a single regret.
Loved your video. I will subscribe. I hope you check my channel out also.

[nicensleazy]

Sorry to go off topic - I just sold my Ducati Panigale V4 Speciale and bought an MV AGUSTA F4 RC . night and day different and I much prefer it